Thursday, November 19, 2009

...another little "miracle" ?

cell phones... we all use them...and dealing with various cell companies can be ugly...

however, I really like my current phone...

it's a Sprint Treo 755p, "smart phone"...and since I don't have an ISP at home anymore...it's been my link to e-mail at home or on the go...and since my home phone is NOT working properly right now...[and isn't getting fixed any time soon...]it's become very important to me...

several months ago... I went to the web site and removed the insurance...[$7 per/mo....anything to save money...]

I didn't need a "new" phone...mine is working fine...it cost $600... and hopefully has years left...[it's also my datebook & phone book...I have 10 years of records on my computer in Palm OS...I don't want to re-do everything, nor can I afford to...]

and when I used the Sprint usage calculator on the website...my current plan fit perfectly...

But they no longer offer it...

according to the website, I'd need to buy a new phone... & a more expensive service plan...

so I called... navigating a pretty simple menu...[that was refreshing...]and got quickly connected [what's up with that ?]...to a friendly customer service person who was obviously NOT in India...[?]

I gave her my info, she made sure that I, was "really me"...and then asked what she could do to help me...

I told her that my current contract was about to expire...that my phone worked and I wanted to keep it...she said, "no problem"...she did tell me that because of my history with the company...if I had wanted to "upgrade", I could get the $150 off deal...[not bad, usually, returning customers have to pay full price...]

I then went on to ask if I could renew my current plan...and she said,"yes, as long as continue to use a phone... that is supported by the small data bundle[ie,NOT a touch screen]...I could continue to renew my current plan..."

she also checked my usage and said..."You're right, your current plan is the best plan for you..."

AND... then she said,"As a loyalty reward, if you renew for 2 more years...we will give you a choice of $50 off once... OR 10% of your bill, each month, FOR 2 YEARS !""I'd take the 10% for 2 years, if I were you..."

since I had prepared myself to barter for a 4 year contract...if I could convince them to let me keep my phone & plan...I was thrilled !

so now, my cell phone bill will only be around $45 p/m...

with all the features I listed before...

their cheapest new plan was $29.99 p/m...for 200 minutes and no internet...

and if I need a new phone at anytime in the future ?

she told me that they still carry Treo 755ps...and as long as I stay with that phone or its ilk...I can keep my cheap plan...

2 comments:

Ah, isn't it sweet when something in this crazy world actually goes not only well but how we wanted it! Hold on to that Treo! I traded mine in an got an iPhone which does all kinds of "neat" things but it is a terrible phone (dropped calls constantly) and I pay about $85/mo for the privilege!Makes me long for my cute little red Treo (which I still have in my closet with all its connecting gadgets!) but I have gotton so used to the "bells and whistles" of the iPhone that I just can't go back...but wish I had never "gone forward!"

...a good lesson in staying with the simple, though I know many who would never call a PDA,"simple"...as far as the newest phones go, my Treo IS simple...my low use "data" plan doesn't allow downloads from YouTube or will it open "attatchments"...but it sends and receives calls, e-mails, goes online & has even gotten a couple of text messages... it's also my calendar & address book... all that I need, especially since I don't have an ISP at home, oe a home phone that works ...